WNBA Rookies Set To Make The Biggest Impact This Season
These women are ranked in no particular order, as each athlete embraces the big leagues differently. Some may find success, some may not, but each of these women have showcased their incredible talent as NCAA players, and you should keep an eye out for them as they embark on their WNBA careers.
Sabrina Ionescu
Although Ionescu’s final shot to bring home an NCAA title with the Oregon Ducks was taken from her in 2020 due to the global pandemic, her body of work is not lacking. As the first-ever NCAA player, man or woman, to reach over 2,000 points and 1,000 assists, the New York Liberty confidently selected her as the first overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft. Ionescu has become a commoner in the media after receiving recognition as ESPN’s national college player of the year, followed by a feature on her NCAA career during the 2020 ESPYs. Her list of accomplishments is endless, including three additional awards for national player of the year, and was named the Co-Winner of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award (nation’s most outstanding amateur athlete). With her vision on the court, she undoubtedly has the ability to become one of the most feared players in the WNBA if she isn’t already.
Satou Sabally
Sabrina Ionescu’s former teammate, Satou Sabally, was picked just behind her in the 2020 WNBA draft, as the second overall selection. The 6’4” forward left the Oregon Ducks as a junior, after leading them, alongside Ionescu, to their third straight Pac-12 title. Following their season, Sabally was selected as a WBCA First-Team All-American and received the Cheryl Miller Award for the nation’s top small forward. The Dallas Wings are lucky to gain her blocking, rebounding, and scoring abilities for the 2020 season, as she and Ionescu are expected to battle it out for 2020 Rookie of the Year.
Lauren Cox
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As the third overall pick in the 2020 WNBA draft, Lauren Cox is expected to be dominant for the Indiana Fever. Standing at 6’4,” Cox’s rebounding and blocking is impressive, but compounded with her ability to shoot, she will be a force to be reckoned with in the league. We saw this excellence throughout her time at Baylor, resulting in four first-team All-American selections in her senior year. She was just the fourth Baylor Bear to accomplish such a feat and is expected to have an equally impressive WNBA career.
Chennedy Carter
As a three-time All-American, Chennedy Carter was a game changer for Texas A&M and is expected to do the same for the Atlanta Dream. After leaving her NCAA career as a junior to declare for the draft, she was selected fourth overall. This talented point guard can shoot from anywhere, and although she stands at just 5’7,” she is a threat everywhere on the court. She is a crucial pick-up for the Dream after losing Angel McCoughtry to Las Vegas–big things are expected from this rookie in the 2020 WNBA season.
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan
The University of South Carolina Gamecocks produced the sixth overall pick of the 2020 WNBA draft, sending Mikiah Herbert Harrigan to the Minnesota Lynx. The 6’2” power forward was named the 2020 SEC Tournament MVP and is looking to continue on an upward trajectory as she takes on the WNBA. She is expected to teeter back and forth as a shooting guard and a power forward for the Lynx–she should have no problem doing so with her rebounding, shooting, and blocking abilities.
Photo credits: Pexels, Sabrina Ionescu's Instagram, Satou Sabally's Instagram, Lauren Cox's Instagram, Chennedy Carter's Instagram, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan's Instagram
